Elizabeth Warren tweets concern over Kashmir

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 10/6/2019 8:01:41 PM

NEW DELHI, Oct 5: US Senator Elizabeth Warren on Saturday became the second presidential candidate of the Democratic Party to voice concerns over the communications lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, in force since the centre revoked the state's special status on August 5. The influential American politician's statement comes a month after fellow Democrat Bernie Sanders expressed similar concerns. India-US ties are "rooted in our shared democratic values", said Ms Warren, one of the fiercest critics of US President Donald Trump, often accusing him of authoritarianism."I'm concerned about recent events in Kashmir, including a continued communications blackout and other restrictions. The rights of the people of Kashmir must be respected," she said in tweet.Senator Bernie Sanders, while speaking at a campaign rally last month, called for the lifting of the communication blockade in Kashmir. "I am deeply concerned about the situation in Kashmir..." he said.India had ended Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 and split it into two union territories, saying the move would help ensure that people of the state get the same constitutional benefits as the rest of the country and spur development.To prevent any backlash, the Centre also imposed massive security restrictions and took measures that included arresting politicians, posting extra troops and blocking phone and internet lines.